Police Log - Newport News/york

November 07, 1989

NEWPORT NEWS

*A gas heater malfunction is blamed for a fire Sunday night that destroyed a one-story house at 43 Culpepper Drive, off Warwick Boulevard near Deep Creek in Newport News.

David Parker, who rents the house, told fire investigators he left about 4:45 p.m. When he returned at 10:20 p.m., the heat on the front door prevented him from entering, said the Fire Department's Lynn James.

Parker called the 911 emergency dispatch center from a neighbor's.

In the few minutes before firefighters arrived, the flames had raced through the house, and smoke filled the building.

James said firefighters remained until 1:23 a.m. Monday.

Investigators pointed to a possible gas leak in a floor furnace as the apparent cause of the fire, which destroyed the house, assessed at $65,000, and about $7,000 in contents, James said. She said the house is owned by Nachman Century 21 Realty Co.

Firefighter Daryl Gore sustained a minor eye injury, James said.

*A 17-year-old Newport News youth was shot twice while being chased by a group of four youths along Marshall Avenue Sunday night, police say.

Kelvin Gray of the 300 block of Blair Avenue was listed in good condition at Sentara Hampton General Hospital Monday night. He was shot once in the left thigh and once in the chest, said Sgt. Michael Brewer of the city police.

Gray told police he was confronted by the youths at a pay telephone at 39th Street and Marshall Avenue about 10:30 p.m., Brewer said. One of the youths allegedly showed off a handgun and after passing it around, threatened Gray with it. When Gray ran, the boy with the gun, along with one or more members of the group, chased him and fired several shots.

When Gray reached the front of a house in the 3600 block of Marshall Avenue, he was shot twice, Brewer said.

*Newport News narcotics detectives seized five pounds of what they believe was marijuana in a search of a 33-year-old man's home Friday night.

Robert J. Reynolds, 33, of the first block of Minton Drive in Newport News, was charged Friday with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute it and with possession of cocaine.

Brewer said police seized five pounds of suspected marijuana, valued at $5,000 and contained in 26 bags. He said a small quantity of cocaine and $875 were also seized.

Reynolds was released on bond pending trial.

YORK

*A Hampton University student has been charged with attempting to sell cocaine in the Carver Gardens subdivision near Williamsburg, said Capt. Ron Montgomery of the York County Sheriff's Department.

John W. Booker Jr., 21, of the 900 block of Marcus Drive in Newport News was arrested about 5 p.m. Friday after officers, acting on a tip, searched his 1982 Toyota in the 200 block of Bethune Drive. Montgomery said they found almost 50 half-gram packets of what field tests showed to be cocaine.

Booker was charged with possession of the drug with the intent to distribute it. Officers also seized his car and $855. Booker posted a $5,000 bond that night and was released from the county jail.